Collapsible Structural Support and Storage Module

Abstract

A rectangular parallelepiped modular structure; size of the structure variable by selection of elements from a plurality of elements; the elements adapted for interconnection to form the structure; the modular structure collapsible for transport and storage; two or more of the modular structures providing stability and support for an overarching roof assembly.

1 . A load bearing rectangular parallelepiped modular structure; size of the structure variable by selection of elements from a plurality of elements; the elements adapted for interconnection to form the structure; the modular structure collapsible for transport and storage; two or more of the modular structures providing stability and support for an overarching roof assembly. 
     
     
         2 . The modular structure of  claim 1  wherein the selection of elements includes longitudinal stringers and end cross members; pairs of the longitudinal stringers and pairs of the end cross members adapted for interconnection to form rectangular perimeter frames. 
     
     
         3 . The modular structure of  claim 1  wherein the selection of elements includes upright members; upright members adapted to extend between pairs of upper and lower rectangular perimeter frames. 
     
     
         4 . The modular structure of  claim 1  wherein the selection of elements includes diagonal bracing members. 
     
     
         5 . The modular structure of  claim 1  wherein the selection of elements includes intermediate cross members; the intermediate cross members adapted to extend between the pairs of longitudinal stringers of a rectangular perimeter frame. 
     
     
         6 . The modular structure of  claim 2  wherein the longitudinal stringers and the cross members comprise lengths of channel section; cross sections of both stringers and cross members being the same. 
     
     
         7 . The modular structure of  claim 6  wherein the lengths of channel section of the longitudinal stringers are provided with attachment plates at opposing outer ends of the channel sections; the attachment plates provided with bolt holes. 
     
     
         8 . The modular structure of  claim 7  wherein the length of channel section of the longitudinal stringer is further provided at opposing outer ends with projecting tabs at centre of and normal to an external surface of a web of the channel section. 
     
     
         9 . The modular structure of  claim 6  wherein bolt holes are provided in both the web and the flanges of the longitudinal stringers; the bolt holes providing for bolted connection with intermediate cross members and with upright members. 
     
     
         10 . The modular structure of  claim 6  wherein bolt holes are provided through a web and flanges of the channel sections of the end cross members proximate opposing outer ends of the cross members. 
     
     
         11 . The modular structure of  claim 7  wherein the pair of longitudinal stringers and the pair of cross members are assembled into the rectangular frames by bolts passing through the bolt holes of the end plates and the webs of the cross members. 
     
     
         12 . The modular structure of  claim 3  wherein the upright members include corner upright members and intermediate upright members; each of the corner and intermediate upright members comprising a length of rectangular hollow section (RHS) or other structural profile and a bracket at each outer end of the length of RHS or other structural profile. 
     
     
         13 . The modular structure of  claim 12  wherein corner upright members are provided at opposing outer ends with a corner bracket. 
     
     
         14 . The modular structure of  claim 13  wherein each corner bracket comprises an ‘L’ shaped main plate affixed at the respective outer ends of the corner upright member RHS or other structural profile; auxiliary plates normal to the ‘L’ shaped main plate affixed at an inner edge of each leg of the ‘L’ shaped main plate; the width of the leg equal in width to width of the RHS or other structural profile; each leg extending outwardly from adjacent sides of the RHS or other structural profile; each leg and each auxiliary plate provided with bolt holes. 
     
     
         15 . The modular structure of  claim 12  wherein each bracket of intermediate upright members and intermediate cross members comprises a length of main plate affixed at opposing outer ends the RHS or other structural profile; the main plate being of a length so as to extend outwardly from opposing sides of the RHS or other structural profile; auxiliary plates normal to the main plate affixed along edges of the main plate extending from the RHS; main plate and auxiliary plates provided with bolt holes. 
     
     
         16 . The modular structure of  claim 15  wherein configuration of the intermediate cross members is identical to that of intermediate uprights. 
     
     
         17 . The modular structure of  claim 4  wherein diagonal bracing elements include lengths of angle and lengths of flat material; each length of angle and length of flat material provided with bolt holes proximate outer ends. 
     
     
         18 . The modular structure of  claim 1  wherein the selection of elements further includes a plurality of equi-spaced floor joists; each floor joist comprising a length of channel section of a length to fit between opposing inward facing webs of the pair of stringers of a rectangular perimeter frame. 
     
     
         19 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of constructing a rectangular parallelepiped modular structure; the method including the steps of:
 selecting a set of dimensions from available dimensions of height width and length of the modular structure,   assembling a lower rectangular perimeter frame and an upper rectangular perimeter frame from pairs of stringers, pairs of end cross members and one or more intermediate cross members,   separating the lower and upper rectangular perimeter frames by insertion of corner and intermediate upright members.   arranging diagonal bracing elements between diagonally opposite brackets of corner and intermediate upright members and intermediate cross members.   
     
     
         26 - 66 . (canceled)